I was at the MN Licensing Board meeting last Friday and it was quite exciting and gives me the opportunity to tell some stories. It is never fun to fine people but there is something for all of us to learn from others mistakes.
Three individuals were fined on Friday.
The first person was charged with practicing without a license. He was first licensed in 1981. His license lapsed in 1982. He is a City Engineer and signed and certified many plans between 1982 and today. He was at a seminar where another City Engineer was sharing his story about how he had been caught practicing without a license and he was sharing the horrible experience with others to help them avoid the process. The PE that was charged on Friday was at the seminar and decided to look for his license. He could not find it. He self reported to the licensing board and was fined $10,000 for practicing without a license. He also had to pay all back registration fees and present all continuing education credits for years missed. moral: it's your responsibility to keep your license current. The administrative staff can assist but it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure your license renewals are received.
The second person was an architect who also let his license lapse for 4 years. He recognized that the license had lapsed after 2 years and had to spend the next 2 years making up the continuing education requirements. He did certify a couple of projects prior to realizing the license had lapsed. He was fined $5,000 and required to make up the continuing education credits and pay the fees. Moral: same as above - it is your responsibility to make sure your license if current.
The third person is unlicensed and charged with holding themselves out as an architect. There were several examples sited in the argument where improper language was used. The person referred to their work as architectural design, themselves as an architectural designers, and testimonials from clients posted on their websites referred to the person as an architect. This person was fined $2,500 and required to redo all marketing materials to removed the problem language. Important: If you are not licensed in MN you cannot use the title Architectural Designer, refer to your work as architectural design and have the word architecture or architectural in close proximity to your name.
That's the story of the day. It's quite a process that each of these people went through. I hope the stories help everyone know a bit more about the use of titles and the importance of keeping track of your license.
Practicing without a license
from an inside source:
I was at the MN Licensing Board meeting last Friday and it was quite exciting and gives me the opportunity to tell some stories. It is never fun to fine people but there is something for all of us to learn from others mistakes.
Three individuals were fined on Friday.
The first person was charged with practicing without a license. He was first licensed in 1981. His license lapsed in 1982. He is a City Engineer and signed and certified many plans between 1982 and today. He was at a seminar where another City Engineer was sharing his story about how he had been caught practicing without a license and he was sharing the horrible experience with others to help them avoid the process. The PE that was charged on Friday was at the seminar and decided to look for his license. He could not find it. He self reported to the licensing board and was fined $10,000 for practicing without a license. He also had to pay all back registration fees and present all continuing education credits for years missed. moral: it's your responsibility to keep your license current. The administrative staff can assist but it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure your license renewals are received.
The second person was an architect who also let his license lapse for 4 years. He recognized that the license had lapsed after 2 years and had to spend the next 2 years making up the continuing education requirements. He did certify a couple of projects prior to realizing the license had lapsed. He was fined $5,000 and required to make up the continuing education credits and pay the fees. Moral: same as above - it is your responsibility to make sure your license if current.
The third person is unlicensed and charged with holding themselves out as an architect. There were several examples sited in the argument where improper language was used. The person referred to their work as architectural design, themselves as an architectural designers, and testimonials from clients posted on their websites referred to the person as an architect. This person was fined $2,500 and required to redo all marketing materials to removed the problem language. Important: If you are not licensed in MN you cannot use the title Architectural Designer, refer to your work as architectural design and have the word architecture or architectural in close proximity to your name.
That's the story of the day. It's quite a process that each of these people went through. I hope the stories help everyone know a bit more about the use of titles and the importance of keeping track of your license.
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